was a bright sunny day in the tiny village of Lorwich. A place known for its calm and ever happy villagers.

Children were seen running about, while men and women went about their daily activities, which included the men haying, gathering crops and going farming while the women stayed making exquisite dresses, visiting the markets and even talking about the latest happenings in the castles.

Bellona walked out of her home which she lived in with her aunt and uncle, smiling at a kid who came running towards her.

"Hello dearest! Howuhhyou?" She smiled at the young girl, while bending low to caress her cheeks.

The girl gave no response, but just giggled shyly and ran away.

This caused a chuckle escaping Bellona's lips as she began moving over to another hut which rested far away from her home, on the other side of the village.

Ensuring to smile at villagers while she walked, greeting and bowing at them in the process, until finally getting to her destination.

This particular house was much bigger, compared to her own home.

Giving a light knock on the hard wooden ancient door, she sucked in a deep breath, waiting for it to be opened.

When no response came, she pushed the door slowly, stepping in.

"Pavlos?" She called for her friend while moving around the tiny room which acted as the visiting area.

Her eyes scanned the area, as if searching for something.

Taking slow steps, she began moving towards the far end of the room, where a rack of swords rested.

The blades glistened as she drew nearer, letting it known that those were just sharpened.

Just about picking one of the swords up, when a sudden gust of wind blew her long wavy hair back, her figure, spinning around at once in fear, eyes searching the cause of the movement.

"Who's there?!" The young lady's voice faltered.

The house was eerily silent, all that was to be heard was the soft squeaking of mice, and the noise coming from villagers at the market square.

She turned around again, when suddenly, the figure passed.

It was a fast, sharp movement, but she managed to catch a glimpse of the person.

An old man.

The sunlight which peered in from the finely carved windows, made his grey hair glisten.

His hair so long, flowed past his back, while his beard which was just as grey, went down his jaw.

There was a quick movement, and in a second, the man was nowhere to be seen in the room.

This sudden encounter made her skin crawl in fear, her heart thumping as her lips gave way, while she called out loudly.

"Who are you?!"

No response came.

"Where's Pavlos?"

There was a disturbing silence as her eyes scanned the room, and suddenly, she heard a voice from behind her.

"Bellona?"

Jolting around sharply, only to see her friend Pavlos staring at her in a confused manner.

She released a breath she didn't realize she was holding, moving closer to him immediately.

"Pavlos! Thank heavens you're here. There's a man in your home. An old man" She said all at once.

Her voice was laced with fear as she spoke, but despite her state, Pavlos didn't seem a bit fazed.

"What nonsense do I hear ye say? I live in this cottage all alone" He spoke, while moving past her to check the windows.

After looking around and not seeing a trace of any figure, he turned to Bellona.

"By god's bones, I tell you I saw him" She swore.

"Well, it should be noted that you my friend are seeing things" He replied.

Bellona's gaze suddenly moved down to the sword which he held tight in his hands, with a pouch fastened around his waist.

"Nice sword" She uttered, a smirk growing on her plump lips while she spoke.

"Thanks" The young man barely pronounced, moving to the rack which housed a bunch of his swords, then dropping the one which he held in his hands, side-by-side with the rest.

"Can I- Bellona paused for a second, taking a few steps closer to him. "get a grip of it?" She asked.

"No" He replied immediately.

"Oh, come on" She drawled.

"Why can't I touch it?"

"Cause you don't possess certain things to be able to wield a sword, Milady. Do we need to go over this again?" He muttered, addressing her in a term used for royals, just cause they were friends and teased each other a lot.

"I'd like you to go on about what you mean by 'certain things' She uttered, crossing her arms together, while giving him a stern look.

"Oh heavens! It mustn't be spelt out, Bellona. A man's yard is one thing that should come into play here when wielding a sword"

"I must let you know that I'm disgusted by your words, and how you think only you lots possess the prowess to fight" Bellona said to him.

He chuckled at her then moved to the rack.

Resting her hands on her hips, the girl stared on at the back of Pavlos, while he stayed turned against her, tending to his swords.

By now, she was already accustomed to him getting on her nerves and teasing her all the time. But no matter what, he never failed being a friend to her whenever needed.

"I wanna learn from you, Pavlos. Teach me to fight"

"Bellona, fighting isn't something you should be eager to learn—It's not something that can be learnt overnight. For starters, you need to be strong. That Bellona, is something you've failed at entirely"

"Pardon you!" Bellona exclaimed, while placing her hands on her chest.

"What do you mean 'I'm not strong?"

"Oh let me tell you Bellona, even the little kid who leaves next door, Son of Woodsworth knows that. And the shocking part is the boy's an annum gone in life"

"Now we know that's only your overstatements" She interjected.

"I want you to teach me. You're one of the finest fighters in Lorwich. Everyone knows that" She said immediately.

"I don't fight for the luxury of it. That's the first thing you should know" Pavlos uttered while staring at her.

"Why won't you teach me how to fight, Pavlos? I keep pleading, yet you keep refusing"

"I admire your strength, your courage, your-

"Fine! Just stop with the squabbles. I'll teach you already" The man yelped aloud, a bid to stop her from going on.

"Really?" Her eyes widened, much disbelief on her face, knowing so well that the friend she'd grown to know all her life wouldn't just give in to her mastering the craft of arms and swords.

"Now, something's just not right" She voiced her doubts, placing her arms akimbo, while sending him a glare that a mother would use on her kid.

"Do you want me to teach you or not?!" He blurted

"When do we begin?" She asked him, not wanting to waste any more time.

"Oh, we begin now. For the better of your self"

He went into a room, returning after quite a while.

A wide smile grew on the ever warm face of the young lady, as they both proceeded out, moving over to a quiet area of the village, a plain field with few trees surrounding it.